The Ligand: GABA

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the most abundant and most important neurotransmitter of mammalian brain. GABA controls the degree of excitability in all brain regions, wheras the level of neuronal activity is regulated by the balance between excitatoric (mostly glutaminergic) and inhibotory (mostly GABA-ergic) signals. GABA exerty ist effects via GABA receptors, which come in three types: GABA A receptors, GABA B receptors and GABA C receptors.

GABA A Receptors

GABA A Receptors (GABAAR) are ligand-controlled chloride channels, composed of 5 subunits. Besides binding GABA, they also bind a number of drugs such as benzodiazepines and barbiturates, making them of primary interest for pharmacological and neurological studies.

GABAAR Subunits

Until now 16 different GABAAR subunits have been identified, which belong to 3 different groups: Alpha (1-6), beta (1-4) and gamma (1-4). In addition delta, epsilon, pie, theta and rho (1-6) subunits have been found. The subunit composition of GABAAR varies in different tissues and determines the pharmacological characteristics of the receptor.

GABAAR Antibodies

Acris Antibodies offers an exceedingly wide range of antibodies for detection of different GABAAR subunits. All antibodies have been tested for Western blot, but part of them also for other applications like ELISA, immunoprecipitation and immunohistochemistry.